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Kinder Morgan to pay fines for drilling violations

CORTEZ — Kinder Morgan will pay up to $220,000 in fines for environmental violations at carbon dioxide wells it drilled last year between Cortez and Dove Creek.

The problems range from paperwork violations to spills and improper storage of drilling waste.

According to the Cortez Journal, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission says Kinder Morgan failed to notify the state in writing at least two days before building a drilling waste pit, and its well sites disturbed more land than the permit allowed.

Regulators say the company also stored drill cuttings on a liner, which overflowed with rainwater and flowed onto the soil.